Why – English Lyrics

• By: TAEYEON
• Album: Why

Lyrics & Translation

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
맘 /mɑːm/ A2	noun - heart, mind, feeling, intention
work /wɜːrk/ A1	verb - to perform a task, to function, to operate effectively noun - activity involving mental or physical effort, a task
눈 /nun/ A1	noun - eye
아른아른대다 /ɐ.ɾɯn.ɐ.ɾɯn.dɛ.dɐ/ B2	verb - to shimmer, to flicker, to waver (in sight), to be hazy/dimly visible
떠나다 /t͈ʌ.na.dɐ/ A2	verb - to leave, to depart
만나다 /man.na.dɐ/ A1	verb - to meet, to encounter
가볍다 /ka.bjʌp.t͈ɐ/ A2	adjective - light (in weight), light-hearted, easy
풍경 /pʰuŋ.ɡjʌŋ/ B1	noun - scenery, landscape, view
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - to drop down, to come down, to decrease, to move downward
망설이다 /maŋ.sʌ.ɾi.dɐ/ B1	verb - to hesitate, to waver, to dither
멈추다 /mʌm.t͡ɕʰu.dɐ/ A2	verb - to stop, to halt, to cease
바람 /pa.ɾam/ A2	noun - wind, breeze
펼쳐지다 /pʰjʌl.t͡ɕʰʌ.d͡ʑi.dɐ/ B2	verb - to unfold, to spread out, to open up
달라지다 /tal.la.d͡ʑi.dɐ/ A2	verb - to change, to become different
가득하다 /ka.dɯk̚.ha.dɐ/ B1	adjective - to be full, to be filled with
꿈 /k͈um/ A2	noun - dream
빛 /pit̚/ A2	noun - light, ray of light
세상 /se.saŋ/ A2	noun - world, society, life
숨 /sum/ B1	noun - breath, breathing
나침반 /na.t͡ɕʰim.ban/ B2	noun - compass (device)

Key Grammar Structures

• Oh, 언젠가는 내 두 발이, oh 닿는 대로

  ➔ -(으)ㄴ/는 대로

  ➔ This expresses an action that occurs "as soon as," "according to," or "in the way that" something else happens. Here, "닿는 대로" means "as soon as my feet touch [the ground]" or "as my feet lead me."

• 이끌리는 시선을 뺏겨버린 대로

  ➔ -아/어 버리다

  ➔ This auxiliary verb indicates that an action has been completed, often with a nuance of regret, relief, or a sense of finality/irreversibility. Here, "뺏겨버린" emphasizes that the gaze was completely and perhaps unintentionally taken away.

• 만나게 될 모든 건 great, great, yeah

  ➔ -게 되다

  ➔ This pattern signifies that a state or action "comes to be," "ends up happening," or "is realized," often due to external circumstances or a natural progression, rather than by direct will or effort. Here, "만나게 될" refers to things one will naturally encounter.

• 가벼워진 맘이 work, work, baby

  ➔ -아/어지다

  ➔ This suffix attaches to adjectives or verbs to indicate that the subject undergoes a change in state, becoming (more) like the adjective. It implies a passive or resulting state. Here, "가벼워진" means "that has become light."

• 이미 이미 눈 앞에 아른아른대는데 망설여 why

  ➔ -는데/은데

  ➔ This conjunctive ending provides background information, context, or a contrast to the following clause. It can convey "while/as," "but," or "so." Here, it sets the scene ("while it's shimmering before my eyes") before the question "why hesitate?".

• 나침반 위 돌아가던 바늘이

  ➔ -(으)던

  ➔ This suffix is used with verbs to refer to an action or state that was continuous or habitual in the past, and is often associated with recollection or an unfinished action. Here, "돌아가던" describes the needle that "was turning" or "used to turn."

• 괜히 미뤄 왔던 날

  ➔ V-아/어 오다 + -(으)던

  ➔ This combination indicates an action that has been ongoing from a point in the past up to the present (V-아/어 오다) and is now being recalled or described from a past perspective (-(으)던). "미뤄 왔던" means "the days that I had been postponing (for no reason)."

• 쫓아가기도 벅차 숨이 찬 세상이 전부는 아냐

  ➔ V-기도 벅차다

  ➔ This idiom expresses that an action is already so difficult or overwhelming that doing even that much is a struggle. "쫓아가기도 벅차" means "it's even overwhelming just to chase after (it)."

• 하루 종일 걸어도 똑같은 풍경은 절대 보이지 않아

  ➔ V-아/어도 and 절대 ~지 않다

  ➔ "V-아/어도" means "even if/though [verb]" and expresses concession. "절대 ~지 않다" means "never [verb/adjective]" and expresses strong negation. Combined, they create a structure like "Even if I walk all day, the same scenery will absolutely never appear."